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Foresight

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Foresight

We are living in an era of continuous and rapid transformation — an acceleration expected to continue reshaping governments, corporations, societies, and individuals alike. Underpinning all our research lies the idea of creating desirable futures — an aspiration made all the more imperative by the pace of change. Through Foresight, the CGC systematically explores probable futures, enabling proactive anticipation and resilient adaptation to what lies ahead.

The rise of generative AI and other advanced technologies is accelerating this transformation. Emerging and disruptive innovations are reshaping political power dynamics, influencing the safeguarding of fundamental rights and freedoms, and redefining the conditions essential for societal prosperity and planetary sustainability.

At the CGC, we leverage Collective Intelligence as a powerful foundation for our Foresight work. No single individual or group can fully grasp what the future holds—making collaborative efforts to co-create desirable futures essential. Meaningful progress depends on engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, each contributing distinct perspectives, methodologies, and expertise.

Some examples of our Foresight work include our annual Tech & Foresight Summit or our Next 50 Foresight Report.

The Tech & Foresight Summit

The Tech & Foresight Summit, first hosted in 2024 and more recently in October 2026, has brought together numerous leaders, policymakers, and changemakers from around the world. Held at the IE Tower, it has featured lively discussions on the forces driving technological transformation.

A panel discussion on the new tech geopolitics featuring expert speakers. On both occasions, the Summit consisted of two thematic panels which provided deep insights into the impact of technology on global geopolitics and governance, and a foresight workshop with all the participants.

A panel discussion at the Tech Foresight Summit 2024 hosted by IE University. At the 2024 edition, a first panel, titled “The Geopolitics of Technology: Europe's Competitive Age in the Digital Era”, featured speakers such as Enrico Letta and Manuel de la Rocha, and explored Europe’s place in the evolving tech landscape. A second panel, “Tech Governance: Diplomacy, Norms, and Values” discussed the role of governance in shaping the future of technology.

The 2024 Summit concluded with a Foresight workshop that worked on issues such as the integration of emerging technologies into daily life over a 20-year timeline, or the building of sustainable prosperity in Europe with finite resources.

A woman stands at a podium during a technology summit presentation. The 2026 edition, held in October 2026, built on this format with panels on “The New Tech Geopolitics: Power, Regulation, and the Global Race for Technology” and “Europe’s Capacity to Scale: Innovation, Deep Tech, and Industrial Competitiveness” featuring speakers such as Bruno Maçães and Teresa Riesgo, followed by a foresight workshop exploring whether Europe can turn rules into power, led by Diana Mangalagiu.

The foresight report published by the CGC following the first Summit, titled Today’s World Driven by Tomorrow’s Tech: Now, Next, New, draws directly from the insights and discussions generated during the 2024 edition. The report examines the key megatrends shaping our future and provides actionable guidance for policymakers, businesses, and society. A new foresight report, building on the findings of the 2026 Summit, is currently in preparation.

Download 2024 Report

A speaker presenting on governance and ethics at an event.

The next 50

How will the world be in 2073? This question is at the core of this foresight report released in celebration of IE University’s 50th anniversary. The report dives into citizens' expectations and predictions for the year 2073, offering foresight into how people anticipate global challenges. It outlines potential advancements in healthcare, significant economic transformations, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education.

The report emphasizes the need to enhance human skills and Humanities education to ensure we are the owners of AI's evolution, not the other way around. It serves as a call to action for organizations, states, companies, and individuals to augment their foresight capabilities, ensuring that the silent technological revolutions foster prosperity for all.